This page gathers the 5,691 dictionary entries of which at least one sense is labelled “Figuratively” by Wiktionary. The definition shown is that sense; each word leads to its full entry. Page 42 of 57: from “rotten to the core” to “scare up”.
- rotten to the core adj Corrupt; evil; immoral.
- Rottweiler noun A very aggressive or short-tempered person.
- rough-grained adj coarse of character; not polished or refined.
- roughspun adj Unpolished, rough and ready, uncultured, unsophisticated.
- roulette noun An instance of risk-taking, especially when the downside exceeds the upside (contrary to the game of roulette where only the wager is lost).
- round and round adv Following the same course repeatedly in vain.
- round robin noun A long, often tedious, list or piece of writing; a laundry list, a litany.
- round trip noun A trip from one destination to another and then returning to the starting location.
- rout noun The retreat of an enemy force, etc., in this manner; also (archaic, rare), the army, enemy force, etc., so retreating.
- route noun One of multiple methods or approaches to doing something.
- rowel verb To incite; to goad.
- royalty noun Someone in a privileged position.
- rub away verb To gradually cause to disappear
- rubber stamp adj Of a person, organization, or process, making decisions or approving matters routinely or without real power.
- rudder noun That which resembles a rudder as a guide or governor; that which guides or governs the course.
- rudderless adj Lacking guidance or direction.
- rug pull noun A sudden revelation that completely contradicts the assumptions one has been led to believe.
- rugose adj Rugged, rough, unrefined.
- rule of engagement noun An implied set of rules for when to undertake a certain approach.
- rule of the road noun A basic (fundamental) and general requirement or principle for how to operate or behave in a certain context or domain (for example, an…
- rule-follower noun Someone who is overly or excessively servile or obsequious.
- rules of the game noun set of implied or unspoken principles that govern a facet of behavior, especially one involving strategy
- rumination noun Deep thought or consideration.
- run verb To pass (without stopping), typically a stop signal, stop sign, or duty to yield the right of way.
- run adrift verb To be aimless or pointless; to make no progress.
- run deep verb Of a feeling, belief, or problem, to be very intense, serious, and firmly established, often existing for a long time.
- run dry verb To run out; to be fully consumed; to expire.
- run in verb To start a new regime slowly.
- run on fumes verb To operate with few resources, or be physically or emotionally overworked.
- run the table verb To decisively and expeditiously accomplish something.
- runaway noun An object or process that is out of control or out of equilibrium.
- rung noun A position in a hierarchy.
- Russian doll noun An issue or situation which repeatedly reveals more levels of complexity.
- rust verb To (cause to) degenerate in idleness; to make or become dull or impaired by inaction.
- rustful adj rusty (impaired by inactivity)
- rut noun A fixed routine, procedure, line of conduct, thought or feeling.
- sabre-rattling noun Any threat, such as one company threatening another with a lawsuit.
- saccharine noun Sentimentalism.
- sack noun Bed.
- sackcloth noun Garments worn as an act of penance.
- sackful noun A large number or amount (of something).
- sacrifice verb To destroy or kill (a human being or an animal); specifically (sciences), to kill (an animal) for a scientific experiment or test.
- sacrificial lamb noun A person who is sacrificed (not literally) for the greater good of some cause.
- sacrosanct adj Beyond alteration, criticism, or interference, especially due to religious sanction; inviolable.
- saddle verb To enter (a trained horse) into a race.
- safe pair of hands noun An experienced person (especially a leader) who can be trusted to do a decent job and not to make serious mistakes; often in relation to a…
- safety net noun Anything, such as a governmental program, that provides security against extreme disadvantage or misfortune.
- safety valve noun Any mechanism offering relief from physical or emotional pressure or tension.
- saffron verb To embellish.
- sag verb To lose firmness, elasticity, vigor, or a thriving state; to sink; to droop; to flag; to bend; to yield, as the mind or spirits, under the…
- sail close to the wind verb To behave in a manner that is on the verge of being dangerous, illegal, or improper.
- sailor mouth noun A propensity to use vulgar language.
- saint noun A person with similarly overwhelming positive qualities; one who does good.
- salad bowl noun A metaphor for the way an intercultural society can integrate different cultures while maintaining their separate identities.
- sales resistance noun A resistance to accepting a new idea or a change in the way things are done.
- salivate verb To show eager anticipation at the expectation of something.
- sally noun A witty statement or quip, usually at the expense of one's interlocutor.
- salt adj Bitter; sharp; pungent.
- salto mortale noun A risky, dangerous or crucial step or undertaking.
- saltworks noun A job, usually considered boring drudgery.
- salty adj Coarse; provocative; earthy.
- sand noun A moment or interval of time; the term or extent of one's life (referring to the sand in an hourglass).
- sand off verb To remove the rough elements or imperfections from.
- sandbag verb To conceal or misrepresent one's true position, potential, or intent in order to gain an advantage; (originally poker) to pretend to have a…
- sandbagging noun Hiding the full strength, skill, or difficulty of something or someone early in an engagement, in order to gain an advantage.
- sandcorn noun Anything causing irritation or discomfort.
- sandhog noun A person employed to dig tunnels, or (more generally) to work underground or under water.
- sands noun a unit of time.
- sandwich verb To put or set between two other events in time.
- sandwich time noun Time that is allotted or allocated between other obligations or activities.
- sanitized adj Having been expunged of undesirable ideas or content.
- sap verb To exhaust the vitality of.
- sapless adj Lacking vivacity.
- sapling noun A youngster, especially a male nearing maturity.
- saponaceous adj Slippery; evasive.
- sardine verb to pack or cram together tightly.
- sargasso noun Also Sargasso: a confused, tangled mass or situation.
- SAT word noun A particularly difficult or obscure word.
- satori noun Enlightenment, epiphany.
- satrap noun A subordinate ruler.
- saturate verb To fill thoroughly or to excess.
- saturation point noun The moment when someone can't take it anymore.
- saucy adj Impertinent or disrespectful, often in a manner that is regarded as entertaining or amusing; smart.
- sauna noun A very hot place or room.
- saurian adj Synonym of lizardlike or reptilian.
- savage noun An aggressively defiant person.
- savory adj Morally or ethically acceptable.
- savour noun A distinctive sensation like a flavour or taste, or an aroma or smell.
- say goodbye verb To cease to have, or have to do, something.
- say hello verb To welcome a new innovation, etc.
- scabrous adj Disgusting, repellent.
- scaffolding noun Any framework or support.
- scaffoldy adj Resembling a scaffold.
- scalding adj Scorching; scathing.
- scalp noun A victory, especially at the expense of someone else.
- scandalous adj Exceeding reasonable limits; outrageous.
- scar verb To affect deeply in a traumatic manner.
- scar tissue noun The long-term psychological consequences of a negative event.
- scare the hoes verb To act in a manner that alienates a valuable subsection of a group activity's participants who have less tolerance for aggressive, unusual…
- scare up verb To find or procure (something), especially something not easily found or procured, and especially while relying on chance to provide the…